MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (09/07/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 9, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND ITS NATIONAL RIGHTS, SAYS ATHENS

Greece is determined to continue its policy of defending its national rights, stated today the Minister of Press and Media and government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas.

Mr. Reppas referred to the United States Embassy's issuance of a demarche to the Greek Foreign Ministry regarding the Cyprus fly-over by Greek fighter jets twenty days ago and characrterized it as "unjustified."

The Press Minister stated that Greece does not comprehend the base of the demarche, which was issued by the US Embassy's in Athens second-in-command Secretary Thomas Brown, and as such the American position was declined and the demarche was not accepted.

Moreover, Mr. Reppas emphasized that the Greek fighter jets flew over Cyprus with a permission granted by the legitimate Cypriot government and, after clarifying that no third party can interfere with Cyprus' interior affairs, stated that the Joint Defense Doctrine remains a basic element of Greece's defense policy.

[02] GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY DENOUNCES DEMARCHE ISSUED BY US

The Greek Communist Party (KKE) has characterised as "unacceptable" the demarche issued by the United States for the fly-over of Greek fighter jects in Cypriot air space twenty days ago.

In a press release, KKE refers to the Greek government's "submission and compliance" to the "new order of things" and adds that this act subjects Greece to "continuous interference by NATO and the Americans." It should be noted that the Communist Party has expressed its reservations over the Joint Defense Doctrine concerning the defense of Greek territory and including Cyprus.

[03] PANGALOS: GREECE WANTS TO SEE STABILITY IN TURKEY

"Greece supports the need for stabilty in the neighboring countries and, therefore, Turkey as well, which means that it is a pleasant outcome that Turkey has finally acquired a government," stated Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos following his meeting with Canada's Parliamentary Presidium held in Athens today.

However, Mr. Pangalos noted that the "question is whether the Erbacan-Ciller government will be able to impose its policy and what will this policy be," Mr. Pangalos added.

The meeting took place under the auspices of Greek-Canadian Friendship and the head of the delegation Eleni Bacopanou expressed the Canadian government's support of Greece's "justified" positions.

The delegation was also received by the Speaker of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis who analysed the Greek position regarding Turkish expansionism.

[04] REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF GREEK FIR BY TURKEY, TOLD BY DEFENSE MINISTER

Turkish aircraft have proceeded to repeated violations of Greece's airspace during the past few days, stated the Minister of National Defense Gerasimos Arsenis during the Pentagon briefing held today.

"In an effort to de-escalate the tension, we made known our intention not to carry out any military exercises during the months of July and August in the greater Aegean Sea Region," Mr. Arsenis stated.

"Yet, the spirit of this action has been denounced en masse, through the repeated violations of Greece's air space by Turkish fighter jets," he added.

The Defense Minister conveyed his protest to the President of NATO's military commission Gen. Noeman, currently in Greece, and to the Alliance's Secretary-General Javier Solana.

[05] NEW TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO BE JUDGED BY ITS ACTIONS, SAYS ATHENS

Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas commended on the newly-formed government in Turkey and stated that the "new Turkish government will be judged by Greece from specific actions and from whether or not Ankara will oblige in respecting International Law and in undertaking a European direction."

Otherwise, Mr. Reppas added, the future that lies ahead for Greek-Turkish relations does not appear bright.

[06] PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES FRENCH FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY

Issues concerning the European Union and the veto exercised by Greece on the MEDA funding program for 12 Mediterranean countries were at the center of discussions held today between France's Foreign Undersecretary of EU Affairs Michel Barniet and Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in Athens.

Mr. Barniet also held successive meetings with Speaker of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos.

As it was reported, the French Foreign Undersecretary exerted pressure on the Greek government to lift its veto over Turkey's funding from the MEDA program.

In response, Mr. Romeos reiterated to Mr. Barniet Greece's firm positions on the matter, which are that Athens will not allow for the release of funding if Turkey will not stop its provocations against Greece.

Moreover, the French official discussed the process of the Intergovernmental Conference with Mr. Romeos.

[07] ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER

National Defense Minister Theodor Melescanu met this morning with Romanian Foreign Minister Theodor Melescanu who is on an official two-day visit to Greece.

The two men discussed issues regarding the Balkan-region situation and collaboration between the two countries. Mr. Melescanu is also scheduled to meet with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

[08] ECONOMY MINISTER CONVEYS EU'S GOOD REPORTS ON GREECE

Greece has shown the largest public and macro-economic adjustment among European Union member-states during the past three years, stated National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, conveying the European Council on Finance (ECOFIN) report on the country.

In its report, ECOFIN noted the country's allignment in the european economy during the past two years and pointed out that the country's budget is progressing normally, while attributing the reduction of public deficit to the more effective control of the financial flow in the social security system's funds.

[09] SPANISH EDUCATORS ASK FOR MANDATORY TEACHING OF THE GREEK LANGUAGE IN SCHOOLS

Spanish university professors and high-school teachers have asked that the Greek language be included in the mandatory studies for entrance examinations into Spanish universities and to include the study of classical civilization in one of the high school years.

The Spanish educators travelled to Delphi, Greece, invited by the European Cultural Center of Delphi.

The professors stated that neither Latin nor Greek are "dead" languages, as many claim, and instead pointed out that the Greek language remains alive inspite of the increasing technological verbage and educational reforms.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] SAE WON'T BACK CLINTON IF THERE IS NO CONCRETE PROGRESS ON CYPRUS

The Greek community in the United States will not support President Clinton's re-election campaign if its members are not convinced that he will help in solving the Cyprus problem, stated the President of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens, after his meeting with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides this morning.

Mr. Athens briefed the Cypriot President on the first session of the Council of Greeks Abroad, European Region, which was completed in Nicosia yesterday.

The SAE President emphasized that the pressure exerted by the Greek community on the United States will be intensified, and expressed his hope that progress will be noted in the Cypriot issue prior to the US elections in October.

[11] SAE EUROPEAN REGION: HELLENISM WILL BECOME STRONGER

The first session of the Council of Greeks Abroad, European Region, was completed yesterday in Nicosia, where more than 1,000 hellenic organizations of central and eastern Europe were represented by 80 delegates.

According to the SAE European Region President Aggelos Aslanides, although the nature of the Council was to organize future events, "emphasis was given to certain national issues which have been achieved."

[12] EUROPE, US ADOPT WAIT-AND-SEE STANCE TOWARDS NEW TURKISH GOVERNMENT

With the initial shock having subsided after the Islamists gained power for the first time ever in Turkey's history, the United States and Europe have adopted a wait-and-see stance and have come to terms with the fact that henceforth they will have to cooperate with the Erbacan-Ciller duet.

US President Bill Clinton has congratulated the new government, while State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns stated that the US will cooperate with the Erbacan government, provided that it will ensure the viable American interests, especially regarding defense issues.

The President of the European Commission wrote to Mr. Erbacan that "the EC considers its relations with Turkey to be of utmost significance and I personally foresee our cooperation for the further development in he relations between the European Union and Turkey in the future."

German Chancellor Helmut Khol has made his displeasure over Tansu Ciller's coalition with the islamists known, and has adopted a wait-and-see stance hoping that Turkey will act within the framework of the Customs Union agreement.

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